Review on: Blackberry Summer - RaeAnne Thayne

Okay last week I did a review of Nora, one of my favorite authors. Today is another of my favorites, and the bonus is, RaeAnne is a friend. Anyway I call her one. I met her a few years ago when I joined Utah Romance Writers of America. She is such a mentor to the chapter and a wonderful story teller. If you've never read one of her books--get to the store now and get one. You'll be hooked for life. 

Blurb - Blackberry Summer

Claire Bradford needed a wake-up call.

What she didn’t need as a tragic car accident. As a single mom and the owner of a successful bead shop, Claire leads a predictable life in Hope’s Crossing, Colorado. So what if she has no time for romance? At least, that’s what she tells herself, especially when her best friend’s sexy younger brother comes back to town as the new chief of police.

But when the accident forces Claire to slow down and lean on others – especially Riley McKnight – she realizes, for the first time, that things need to change. And not just in her own life. The accident – and the string of robberies committed by teenagers that led up to it – is a wake-up call to the people of Hope’s Crossing. The sense of togetherness and community had been lost during those tough years. But with a mysterious “Angel of Hope” working to inspire the town, Riley and Claire will find themselves opening up to love and other possibilities at the end of an extraordinary summer.

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I give this a 5!

RaeAnne has created a town of wonderful characters. I can't wait until the next book. I loved Claire, she wasn't perfect but she was close, and she loves to bead. I do too, and some of the scenes brought back beading sessions with my own friends. And Riley? Well, he wasn't perfect either. That's what I love about these characters they're your friends, people you want to meet and have tea or coffee with. Or in my case a glass of wine with. And when it ended I almost cried. Not because the ending was sad but because I didn't want it to end. I recommend this book to everyone!

Dinner with the neighbors

A couple of nights ago we made dinner for a few neighbors. I didn't know what to do, since I'd be at work all day. So I made a deal with Ron (Hubby) that he'd take care of the meat and I'd take care of salad and rice when I got home.

Then there was an accident on the freeway and I was later getting home than usual. Isn't that the way it always happens? Yup, it is for me. But I was able to squeak by in just enough time with my recipe for my Rice Pilaf. I sort of made it up as I went. And everyone seemed to like it. Of course if I'm at someone's house I've been known to keep quiet if I didn't like what they made. What about you? But I liked it.

Rice Pilaf  6 servings.
1 pkg. Long Grain & wild rice Rice A Roni
1 cup of Long Grain white Rice
2 Cans (14 oz) Low Sodium Chicken Broth
1/4 Green bell pepper chopped
1/4 onion chopped
1/4 purple bell pepper chipped (if available or substitute with red)
1 stalk celery sliced thin
Fresh basil shredded about a dozen leaves or so, to taste
1 tbsp butter/margarine
Sautee veggies in butter until tender add season packet from Rice-a-Roni mix and then add broth and rice. Bring to boil, then lower to medium/low heat and cook--stirring occasionally--for 25 minutes. Then serve.

Because I used the box of Rice-a-roni and didn't make it with their recipe, etc. I'm guessimating the calories to be about 220 per serving.  We served it with Teri-yaki chicken, sunflower honey bread and salad. Great combo...

The Search by Nora Roberts - Review

If you know me, you know that Nora Roberts is one of my favorite authors--she's my idol, I want to be like her when I grow up. So I'm older than her and time's running out, I'm still going to be like her. As far as someday I'll have a successful book with a big publishing house. Meanwhile I love reading her books. I think my favorite series is still her Bride books. No maybe the Irish, the Gallagher's, Or..... I don't know I can't make up my mind.

Anyway, I've read one of her new books The Search.  Here's a blurb borrowed from her bookstore web site:
To most people, Fiona Bristow seems to have an idyllic life-a quaint house on an island off Seattle's coast, a thriving dog-training school, and a challenging volunteer job performing canine search and rescues. Not to mention her three intensely loyal Labs. But Fiona got to this point by surviving a nightmare...
Several years ago, Fiona was the only survivor of the Red Scarf serial killer, who shot and killed Fiona's cop fiance and his K-9 partner.
On Orcas Island, Fiona found the peace and solitude she needed to rebuild her life. But all that changes on the day Simon Doyle barrels up her drive, desperate for her help. He's the reluctant owner of an out-of-control puppy, foisted upon him by his mother. Jaws has eaten through Simon's house, and he's at his wit's end.
To Fiona, Jaws is nothing she can't handle. Simon, however, is another matter. A newcomer to Orcas, he's a rugged and in-tensely private artist, known for the exquisite furniture he creates from wood. Simon never wanted a puppy-and he most definitely doesn't want a woman. Besides, the lanky redhead is not his type. But tell that to his hormones.
As Fiona embarks on training Jaws, and Simon begins to appreciate both dog and trainer, the past tears back into Fiona's life. A copycat killer has emerged out of the shadows, a man whose bloodlust has been channeled by a master with one motive: to reclaim the woman who slipped out of his hands...


I really liked this book. The only thing is, I think her characters were very similar to another book I've read of her's recently. BUT alas, I love them all so it was okay. 

I give it a 4.5 
If you can read this, I'd recommend it highly. Another great book Ms. Roberts, how do you do it? I can't wait to read Chasing Fire. 

Sunday brunch

Yesterday my husband and I went to a Farmer's Market  in downtown Salt Lake City. We found some baby red potatoes, among other things. So this morning I figured I'd make breakfast, but I was very slow. Took my time etc. So it turned into brunch.

Also if you're watching your calories, or portions this is one of those times you truly combine breakfast and lunch. Menu:

Scrambled eggs, turkey sausage links, baked cheese potatoes, tortilla's and mimosa's (made with Riesling instead of bubbly)

Baked Sunday Potatoes - 4 servings
10 - small baby red potatoes cut into large slices
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 jalapeno chopped
1 tbsp fresh basil chopped
1/2 tbsp. virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic chopped
1/4 tsp. Black pepper
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 oz. Black Pepper Cheddar Cheese - grated.
Add veggies to bowl, add oil and stir make sure everything is coated. Put into small baking pan and put in the oven at 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until tender. Sprinkle the cheese over the top and cook for 5 more minutes and then serve.
Calories 389, Total Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 3g, Cholesterol 15mg, Sodium 132mg, Total Carbohydrate 69g, Dietary Fiber 6g, Sugars 5g, Protein 12g. Vitamin A 6%, Vitamin C 75%, Calcium 14% and Iron 14%.

Hope you enjoy!

Ted Saves the World blog tour winners.

Dear All

Thank you so much for commenting on the posts for my "Ted Saves the World" blog tour. There were over 100 entrants with many entrants posting on multiple blogs (giving themselves multiple chances to win). Here is a log of all 28 blog posts I wrote for the tour: http://www.build-creative-writing-ideas.com/blog-tour-for-ted.html

Before I reveal the winners, I want to give everybody one more chance to win and to win big.

I had planned on giving a 5th $25 Amazon gift card if my book "Ted Saves the World" made it into the Top 100 Kindle sales on Amazon by August 15th. Unfortunately, that didn't happen.

Since I REALLY want that to happen :), I am going to do a drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card on Friday, August 19th if the book gets into the Top 100 at any point between now and the end of the day on Friday (I will check frequently). Yes, that means one of you will win a $100 Amazon gift card if it sells like hotcakes. Since all the entries are in, the only way to improve the chances of winning a $100 gift card is to buy the book and to spread the word to all your friends and family!
Here is the "Ted Saves the World" sales page: http://www.amazon.com/Ted-Saves-World-Novella-ebook/dp/B0058EUSCI

The winners of the $25 Amazon gift cards (as selected by Random.org) are:
Reviews By Abby
Tweety B99
Dead Tossed Waves
Abby Dillon 16
Congratulations! I will be contacting you all individually so that I can get you your prize!

Thanks again to everybody who entered. Your words touched my heart and made me feel validated for all the hard work I put in during the tour. Feel free to keep in touch whenever you'd like by dropping me an e-mail at this address. I hope to be e-mailing all of you again on Saturday morning with a $100 winner! Have a fantastic week!

Sincerely,
Bryan Cohen
Author of Ted Saves the World
http://www.amazon.com/Ted-Saves-World-Novella-ebook/dp/B0058EUSCI

Annual Midway Trip

For the last eight years our friends have hosted a golf / camping trip in Midway, Utah. We started going around five years ago, and now it's an annual trip for us. We have so much fun. I don't golf--next year I hope to though--but my husband does. So while the golfer's golf, I do whatever. Sometimes I stay in camp and read, other times I bead and make bracelets, and this year I went on a hike.

I was gone an hour and a half. No it wasn't like strenuous, I'm too out of shape. I took a trail. And I realized after about 40 minutes, other than wearing sturdy shoes, I'd done every no-no in the book. First as I left the camp, I hadn't planned to actually follow any trail, just go for a walk. So I didn't take any water.

As I walked along the road, I looked over to the golf course, and there was my husband and his foursome on the first hole. What are the odds? It couldn't have happened if I'd planned it. So I stood and watched--probably jinxed him--and then continued. I found a path and though ummm why don't I follow this?

There were beautiful flowers--a big patch of sunflowers, my favorite--along the way. And as the path continues, I saw signs for different trails. I took the visitor center loop. The view of the valley was awesome. After I'd been gone awhile, I realized I'd forgotten to take anything for my allergies that sometimes kicks up nor did I think about the bugs, so I hadn't used any propellant.

As I continued the path narrowed into a trail, then narrowed into a sort of trail through lots of greenery. I determined to myself if it got to the point of 'bushwacking', a term my friends use (I'm not sure if it's an official hiking term or not), I'd turn around. It never got to that point. But finally after about 45 minutes and the trail still, as far as I could figure, wasn't really looping, so would it be further to turn and go back or continue? While I was trying to decide what to do, I heard rustling up a head. Immediately pictures of news reports about lone hikers and runners encountering cougers crossed my mind. I pulled my phone out, I figured I ought to tell someone where I was. No service.

I turned around.
So, here are the things I learned, if you're hiking/walking by yourself:
1. Take water.
2. Tell someone where you're going. If you find a trail go back to camp and let them know, or call while you have service.
3. Put on Insect repellent.
4. Take your allergy pills.
5. Plan how far you're going to go before you start off.

In my defense, it's been a long time since I've gone on a hike, and also I hadn't really intended to. I had a great bit of ME time...

Saturday evening after everyone returned to camp after the day's golf and adventures we had--as we do every year--pot luck. I tried a new recipe, it turned out so good, I'm sharing. (Of course)

Black bean & corn salad 10 servings.
1 can corn, rinsed and drained
3 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cloves garlic chopped
1/2 Red Bell Pepper chopped
1/2 Green Bell Pepper chopped
1/4 large Red onion chopped
1 Jalapeno chopped (seeds optional)
2 tomatoes seeded and chopped
1 Tbsp Lime Juice
1 Tbsp Olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp Basil
1 tsp Cilantro leaves
1/2 tsp savory
1/4 tsp. Black ground peppers
Place all in a big bowl and stir thoroughly. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
Makes 10 - 1/2 cup servings
Calories 173, Total Fat 3g, Saturated Fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 629mg, Total Carbohydrates 29g, Dietary Fiber 8g, Sugars 5g, protein 9g. Vitamin A 1%, Vitamin C 28%, Calcium 3% and Iron 12%.

Hope you enjoy!

This wraps it up!

Welcome everyone to the last day of the Mystery we Write Blog Tour. Jackie King is in the garden and she’ll be entertaining us for the next little bit. Everyone have some wine or other beverage and fill your plate with hors d’oeuvres, settle in and let’s get started.

Mary: Jackie, before telling all about you as an author, please tell us about you… Jackie. Where you grew up, your background etc.

Jackie: My earliest memories are of listening to or imagining stories. Mother was a single, divorced parent back when such a status raised eyebrows. She was an actress, a story-teller and a writer in Beaver, a small town in the Oklahoma panhandle. (To earn a living, she also taught school.) When I was very young she couldn’t find a teaching job, so we lived on government commodities; forerunner of food stamps.

Mother could concoct a story about any subject, and she told my sister, brother and me, an exciting tale each night. She also read books from the library to us. I don’t remember having any toys, and entertained myself during the day by telling stories to myself. I starred as the heroine, of course, and was most usually, a princess. Because of Mother’s artistic temperament, we moved around a lot. (Translation: her teaching contract was often not renewed.) This may sound hard, and sometimes it was, but life was also exciting, adventurous and fun. Although we were usually cash-strapped, we never considered ourselves ‘poor.’

I started college at 16, and was married by 18. (What can I say? My brain hadn’t stopped growing by that time, at least according to Dr. Phil.) During these two years I studied journalism at Oklahoma University because writing had always been my dream. For the next 30 odd years I was a happily married wife and mother of three children. I also worked full time as an accountant and was too busy to write.

Mary: Now you can tell us all about your writing. What do you write? And how long have you been writing?

Jackie: Mystery and romance are my choice of topics. I love mysteries because these stories end with justice, at least mine do. I started writing again when I found myself suddenly single. (I was happily married…guess he wasn’t.) My first published novella, FLIRTING AT FIFTY, is a humorous account of my divorce. (The divorce wasn’t very funny, but who wants to read about that?) This tale was included in an anthology titled CHIK~LIT FOR FOXY HENS, stories for women of a certain age.

My cozy mystery THE INCONVENIENT CORPSE features Grace Cassidy, who also found herself suddenly single…and broke…and friendless in a strange town. I always have fun writing my stories; I make my characters very human and show them, warts and all. Grace gets through life by making lemonade from the lemons that come her way.

Mary: Is there someone who inspired you to write? If so, who and why.

Jackie: When I was about four years old, my mother told me I would be a writer when I grew up. (I doubt if she thought it would take almost 50 years for that to happen.) Perhaps I told her some of the stories I wrote in my head. I never doubted her, even though I worked in the corporate world for many years to pay bills.

Mary: The Inconvenient Corpse I don’t know about anyone else, but that title alone is a hook. How did you come up with the title?

Jackie: The first scene of the book flashed into my mind when I was vacationing in northern California. That was my first experience of staying in a Bed and Breakfast, and I loved every moment. Like my character Grace, I had walked through a historical Victorian neighborhood and down to the beach. After returning I stretched out on my bed and began daydreaming:

What would I do if I were stranded in a strange town with no friends and no money? Oh, and I’ll throw in a corpse—a naked one—in my bed. Could I survive using my own determination, brains, and moxie? I felt impelled to write the book to find out the answers. Plus, I added an older teenaged son and a cat to make Grace’s life even more complicated, and thus more interesting. The title came from a bit of dialogue spoken by Theodora, an aging school-teacher, who called the victim, “That most inconvenient Mr.…”

Here’s the opening scene from the book:
“Grace Cassidy stared at the stranger’s body. He was about sixty, pot-bellied, naked, and very dead. She knew he was dead because his skin was the color of concrete. Worst of all, he was lying smack dab in the middle of her bed.”

Mary: Can you tell us a bit about your book? And other books? Where can we purchase them?

Jackie: As I said, Grace Cassidy finds herself alone in a strange town. She has no credit cards, no cash, no resources, and no job skills. Fleeced and abandoned by her husband, she is also the prime suspect in a bizarre murder.
Buy on Amazon or Barnes & Noble

I also have published 5 novellas that are part of a series called The Foxy Hens series. I’ve mentioned the first. The next three are historical mysteries set in Oklahoma Territory at the time of the Land Run in 1889. The last one is a contemporary mystery set in Tulsa, where the heroine tangles with a serial killer. It’s not a cozy.

All of my books are available in trade paperback or on Amazon Kindle or B&N Nook for $2.99 each.

Everyone okay? Let’s take a bit of a stretch break, grab some more refreshments if you’d like.

Mary: Jackie, when it’s time for some ‘me’ time what do you do? Travel? Cook? Do you have a favorite recipe you could share with us?

Jackie: My favorite thing is spending time with my family and friends. My only nonfiction book, Devoted to Cooking, is a collection of family stories written with my daughter (a chef), Jennifer Sohl. I enjoy cooking, but she’s the family star in the kitchen. Because most of my best friends are either writers or avid readers, there is always lots of lively conversation at gatherings.

Mary: If there is one thing you could tell a new author what would it be?

Jackie: Never give up on your dream. The most successful published writers are those who are the most disciplined. Make up your mind to write every day (at least 30 minutes) and to submit what you write. This is a sure-fire formula for success.

Mary: Where can people find you? Do you have a web site, Facebook, blog? Tell us, please…

Jackie: Thanks, Mary, for inviting me into your garden and letting me chat with your friends and readers. I’ve loved every minute. I can be found at my website:
www.jacqking.com

My Blog: Cozy Mysteries & Other Madness
Blog url: http://bnbmysteries.blogspot.com

I’m on Facebook as Jacqueline King, and would love it if readers would “friend” me.

Thank you, Jackie, for joining us today. Drop by often and say ‘Hi’.

Red Beans and Rice Mary style

I love this recipe, there may be a lot out there similar but this is my creation. And I forgot to take a picture, so the picture is courtesy a free stock photo LOL.

Stock photo

Red Beans & Rice Large pot full....

2 lb Red Beans (soaked overnight and rinsed)

16 oz. long grain rice (2-3 more water when adding rice)

6 cups water 

2 links Cajun Sausage sliced

2 cups Tomatoes

1 Green Bell Pepper chopped

1 lg Onion (2 1/2cp) chopped

4 cloves Garlic

2 St. Celery chopped

6 oz pork shredded

2 Tbsp Cajun Mix

1 tsp. Thyme

1/2 Tsp. Sage

1 tsp. Parsley

2 bay leafs

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Add everything to Crock pot except rice and extra water. Place on high for 4 hours. Then add more water and the rice and cook on high for 4 hours. Stir frequently. 

Enjoy. I'm not even going to tell you how many calories are in this. Let's just say, keep it to a small portion as you do with everything else, and have this for a party or special occasion. 

A crisp sweet white wine goes well with this. 

Welcome Sharon Ervin

Everyone please welcome Sharon to the garden. We're going to cozy up in the shade by the falls today. Please grab some refreshments and settle in and lets begin.

First a bit about SHARON ERVIN
Sooner born, Ervin has a degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma. Once a newspaper reporter, she now works in her husband and son’s law office half-days, gleaning material and characters for more novels. She is married to McAlester, Oklahoma attorney Bill Ervin and has four grown children.

Website address: sharonervin.com
Blog address: sharonervin.wordpress.com

AGENTS/EDITORS AND REJECTION
“A friend of your friend is my friend,” I once wrote to an agent.
A young man I watched grow up here in our small Oklahoma town is now a celebrity photographer in New York. He asked one of his famous author friends to recommend me to the friend’s agent, then told me to write to said agent, dropping her well-loved client’s name.

She was gracious, but had a full stable of authors. Maybe another time. I have tried again. She has a great reputation. She doesn’t need me.

Four times I have actually signed with agents. Two of those immediately suffered career-ending ailments. I swear said ailments had nothing to do with me or my work.

A fledgling agent who had worked in publishing for years, liked my writing quite a lot. For weeks we telephoned back and forth, tweaking the manuscript. She had sound ideas and genuinely liked the work and me. We had great rapport. When we agreed the pages were ready, she hand-carried the manuscript to an editor friend.

She called me that evening in tears. We had our first rejection. I tried to comfort her as she sobbed long minutes over the phone, but she was inconsolable.

“I cannot stand this,” she said. “I’m not tough enough to take this kind of treatment.”

“What do you mean? Rejection is part of the game. It will get easier.”

“I don’t want to get used to it,” she said.

“We’ll try again, won’t we?” I asked provoking the sobs all over again.

“She (the editor) is a good friend of mine. If we had any chance of being published in New York, she could make it happen,” she continued, refusing to be comforted.

“What does that mean?” I asked, fearing the answer.

She blew her nose. “Is there any way...could you...make it...” her voice cracked, “Could you make it more compelling? That’s what she said. It just wasn’t compelling enough for her.”

“Sure, I can. I can do that.” Then I thought about it. “What does that mean? I mean, the story itself, or the characters, or what?”

She squeaked, “I don’t know. I’ll call you back tomorrow.” And she hung up.

Her new career was over before it had begun.

When that book was published, eventually, I called to tell her that I’d found a publisher who liked it almost as much as she and I had. We had a lovely visit. I still like her.

Among the rejections, there have been some happy moments. One morning a famous editor called to ask about a manuscript that was finished in draft form, but not polished. Knowing how long publishers take to respond, I hadn’t worried, had sent the first three chapters on a Tuesday. She called Monday of the next week. She suddenly had an empty slot, thought my book was just right. I begged for time. She asked how much time I needed. Three weeks? She gave me two. I hit the deadline, but the book had not developed quite as well as she had anticipated. Plus, she had filled the slot with something else. It was a hard lesson. I have never again queried before I thought a manuscript was ready.

It took me a while to learn there are degrees of rejections. Some are written “To Whom It May Concern,” obviously designed to discourage future queries. Some are form rejections, but signed by a person. Better. Others are addressed to the author by name, may even refer to the work by title, plus they are signed.

Those rejections that contain thoughts, notes on how the work might be improved, are gold. A writer can take heart in those, make suggested changes and resubmit. One must hurry, however, as editors move from house to house fluidly, and available slots close quickly.

The best self-addressed envelope, however, is the one where the enclosure reads: “We have read your submission and, if it is still available, we would like to offer a contract.”

For me, that one came 17 years after I penned the first manuscript. Naturally, I thought it must be a scam. But it wasn’t. Nine of my nearly 20 manuscripts have been published. Now I’m fretting about Number Ten.

And the beat goes on. Some wonderfully successful authors say, “I never feel like I am in, never know if the next book will sell or not.” Me neither.

Buy Links: 

Kindle books
All Sharon's books

 


Thank you, Sharon, for visiting with us today.